Caltech v. Carnegie Mellon

<p>I know there aren't many Caltech CS people here, but that is what I am interested in majoring. So, I'm not sure how useful this post will be...</p>

<p>Nevertheless, anybody care to compare the CS programs at Caltech and CMU for me? I've heard that CMU is superior in CS, but weaker everywhere else. If I wanted to dual major in math and CS which would be better?</p>

<p>What about the social scenes? Are the two schools equally nerdy/antisocial? I was a little turned off by the food fights and the dinner process as a whole, but I could live with it. I guess.</p>

<p>Finally, is it true that I basically won't be able to take classes outside of the core Freshman year? That's kind of annoying. I guess I could take extra classes...</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated. This is a tough choice.</p>

<p>I'd say both schools are about even academically, with CMU holding the edge in CS. (Fun Fact- one of the most powerful nonmilitary computers in the world is locatd in Pittsburgh and is owned jointly by Pitt and CMU.) If you're looking for the better social scene, go with CMU. The majority of students at CMU are similar to thsoe at CalTech, but CMU is located in Pittsburgh and is right next to Pitt. There are many more options for fun at CMU than there are at CalTech.</p>

<p>The math program at Caltech is ranked #7 in US News graduate rankings, CMU's is #30. The CS program at Caltech is very flexible.</p>

<p>When I first visited Caltech for prefrosh weekend, I was also disturbed by the childish nature of many of the traditions, especially the food fights. But you should definitely know that Prefrosh weekend plays up these rituals. Not everyone is into playing these games or tossing stuff at dinner, so there are at least a couple houses with pretty relaxed (ie. normal) dinners.</p>

<p>Food fights do not occur in all houses.</p>

<p>Freshman core can leave a little space to take outside classes. You don't necessarily have to take a hum every term. Besides that I think most CS majors still find space to take CS 1 and 2 their frosh year.</p>

<p>I took CS 1 and CS 2 this year without even being a CS major. They were very challenging for me but only because I have no background in real programming. If you have a solid programming/CS background you should be able to test out of them, in which case you should take CS 21 and CS 24 freshman year.</p>

<p>Either way, there is still room for you to take a whole track of elective classes (or classes in your major) freshman year in addition to core and hums without overloading.</p>

<p>I know a few Caltech CS majors who chose C over CMU. At CMU, the schools are separate, so less integrated with mellon school of science and the engineering school. Far more flexibility at caltech to follow one's interests</p>

<p>Thanks for the input guys. It is all really helpful.</p>

<p>Personally, I didn't find Caltech antisocial at all, though I was a little scared about it before going there for prefrosh weekend. I visited some houses where the social atmosphere was a pretty typical college one on Friday and Saturday night. The impression that I got was that the social scene is pretty strongly defined by the house you are in.</p>

<p>Plus, I thought that the student bodies and the general atmospheres/mindsets were pretty different at the two schools. I'm choosing Caltech over CMU MCS and SCS, but I think to a great extent they're academically comparable and the decision is mainly one of personal preference. I hope you've visited CMU as well.</p>

<p>Yeah, I expected to be more anti-social before going to prefrosh weekend, but I still don't think it was like a normal college weekend. Everything had this quirky/nerdy edge. Also, I know that everything was being played up for the prefrosh (homework was pushed back, activities planned, etc.).</p>

<p>And yes, I have visited CMU.</p>

<p>If Caltech had a stronger CS department this choice would be trivial for me...</p>

<p>I guess I'll choose based upon the mindsets and attitudes of the schools.</p>

<p>I wish homework was pushed back. I think only one class actually did that... (Acm) In any case, none of my homework was pushed back.</p>

<p>I pulled the one academic all-nighter I've ever done in my life with several other people during this year's prefrosh weekend to finish two sets that were due on Friday that nobody had started on until really late that night. This freaked a few prefrosh out. Thursday nights can be big work nights for people, especially those in ACM 95, but Techers don't typically do any work on Fridays and Saturdays.</p>

<p>Except EEs... our due dates are typically on sunday for 5x.</p>

<p>Oh yeah, and from what I gathered you have a pretty good amount of flexibility when it comes to humanities core classes. The science part seems pretty intense, but I'm personally kind of excited by it.</p>

<p>It is intense! That's why I love it :D (not too intense though, I have a really fun life heh)</p>

<p>I suspect CMU would have a more balanced student body, and a stronger CS program, so my vote would be for CMU.</p>